Kugler Surname

1st Generation:

All we know about him is from the 1762 marriage of his son. At the time, Johann Jacob Kugler (Sr.) was described as a wheelwright who was then living in Eschelbronn, in Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany.

They had at least one child:

1	Johann Jacob Kugler

2nd Generation:

Johann Jacob Kugler always went by his middle name, Jacob. Jacob's origins are unknown. His wife was from Gommersheim, Germany; but he was not from there. The first known evidence of him was in 1762, when he married Eva Catharina Neuhaus in Gommersheim. In that marriage record, he was described as being from Eschelbronn, Germany (which was about 40 miles east of Gommersheim) and the son of Johann Jacob Kugler, a wheelwright from Eschelbronn. It is unknown if he was born in Eschelbronn, or if that was just where he was living at the time of his marriage. After marriage, Jacob and Eva continued living in Gommersheim, where their first four children were baptized between 1762 and 1769. In the baptism records of his children, Jacob was described as a weaver. In 1769 or 1770, they might have briefly moved with his wife's family farther north in Germany to Mulheim an der Ruhr, near the larger city of Duisburg. Jacob migrated with his family to America in 1771; they arrived in Philadelphia on ship named "Betsey" which sailed from London in December 1771. They also made the trip with his wife's sister Sophia Margaretha Neuahus and her husband Paulus Bauersachs. On December 4, 1771, Jacob and Paulus both took an oath of allegiance after arrival. And a few days later, on December 11, 1771, Jacob's two oldest children (Adam, age 9, and Margaretha, age 6) were both assigned as apprentices (i.e. indentured servants) to a local man in Philadelphia.

It is unclear where the family lived in the first few years after arriving in America; they might have lived in Philadelphia or in neighboring New Jersey. By 1774 though, they had moved farther inland into Pennsylvania. Between at least 1774 and 1788, they appear to have lived variously between Milford Township in Bucks County and in Frederick Township in Montgomery County (which are about 11 miles apart). The inference is that they first lived in Milford Township in Bucks County, before moving to Frederick Township in Montgomery County in 1782. They variously attended the Christ Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville in Milford Township in Bucks County, and the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Upper Salford Township (adjacent to Frederick Township) in Montgomery County. During this time period, Jacob was described as an innkeeper or tavernkeeper. In 1775, a Jacob Kugler served as a private out of Lower Milford Township.

Sometime between 1788 and 1790, the family moved west to central Pennsylvania. They settled in Penns Township in the part of Northumberland County that is now Centre County, Pennsylvania. It is not clear if Jacob died before, or after, the family's move there.

Note that there were other Kugler families that lived in the same general area at the same time, including at least one other Jacob Kugler. It is challenging to differentiate between these people. And there is also no reason to believe that this Kugler family was related (or at least closely related) to the others that were living there.

Hemarried Eva Catharina Neuhaus on July 24, 1762 in Gommersheim, Sudliche Weinstrasse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany ¹. She was born on March 31, 1741 in Gommersheim, Sudliche Weinstrasse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany ¹. She died after 1820 in Beavercreek Twp., Greene Co., Ohio.

She always went by her middle name, Catharina. She was baptized on April 3, 1741 in Gommersheim, Sudliche Weinstrasse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany ¹. In 1790, she was enumerated as "Widow Kugler" in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Her family was documented between 1791 and 1794 in Penns Township in Northumberland County (now Centre County). Sometime between about 1790 and 1794, she had remarried to Johann Georg Harner a widower with his own family of children. In about 1794, the combined family moved out west to the frontier of Ohio. They settled near what is now Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio. There, they lived at the settlement of New Germany (Camp Dennison) in Symmes Township. Then in about 1800, they moved again, Beavercreek Township in Greene Co., Ohio. She died sometime after 1816, when she and her husband deeded land.

1	Johann Adam Kugler was born on November 9, 1762 in Gommersheim, Sudliche Weinstrasse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany 1. He died before November 23, 1815 probably in Montgomery Co., Ohio. He married Agnes McClannegan on November 6, 1790 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania 4. They had children: Jacob Kugler (c. 1784-1837) md. Catherine Bates Samuel Koogler (1787-1867) md. Elizabeth Margaret Koogler (c. 1796-1878) md. Elijah Slider Sarah Kugler (c. 1796-1877) md. Henry Bates Mary Koogler (1800-1891) md. William R. Hollis He always went by his middle name, Adam. He was baptized on November 11, 1762 in Gommersheim 1. On December 11, 1771 in Philadelphia, shortly after arriving from Germany, Adam and his sister Margaret were apprenticed to a man named William Todd. In 1785, Adam was taxed (along with his father) in Frederick Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; described as a weaver. Adam was next found in 1790, when he married Agnes McClannegan in Philadelphia. Adam was then documented between 1791 and 1794 in Penns Township in Northumberland (now Centre) County, Pennsylvania. Adam then probably moved to Ohio with his family at that time. They settled near what is now Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio. Then in about 1800, Adam and his family moved again to Greene County, Ohio. Adam's estate was probated in neighboring Montgomery County, Ohio; which suggests he moved there not long before his death.
2	Anna Margaretha Kugler was born on June 15, 1765 in Gommersheim, Sudliche Weinstrasse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany 1. She died after 1771. She went by her middle name, Margaret. She was baptized on June 16, 1765 in Gommersheim 1. On December 11, 1771 in Philadelphia, shortly after arriving from Germany, Margaret and her brother Adam were apprenticed to a man named William Todd. There is no other information about her.
3	Maria Christina Kugler was born on April 28, 1767 in Gommersheim, Sudliche Weinstrasse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany 1. She probably went by her middle name, Christina. She was baptized on May 1, 1767 in Gommersheim 1. There is no other information about her.
4	Maria Elisabetha Kugler was born on August 2, 1769 in Gommersheim, Sudliche Weinstrasse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany 1. She probably went by her middle name, Elisabetha/Elizabeth. She was baptized on August 6, 1769 in Gommersheim 1. There is no other information about her.
5	Sarah Kugler was probably born on November 20, 1772* 8 in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. She died on May 11, 1872* in Bath Twp., Greene Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Byron Cemetery, Greene Co., Ohio. She married Johannes "John" Harner in about 1790s. He was born on May 24, 1770 and died on July 7, 1840 in Greene Co., Ohio. He is buried in the Byron Cemetery, Greene Co., Ohio. They had the following children: George Harner (1796-1874) md. Julia Ann Gentis Catherine Harner (1798-1888) md. Samuel Schauer Sarah Harner (1802-1870) md. James Miller John Harner (1805-1873) md. Magdalene Haines Jacob Harner (1808-1901) md. Lydia Kershner Simon Harner (1810-1896) md. Sarah Wolfe Daniel Harner (1811-1893) md. Ann Elizabeth Snyder Rebecca Harner (1816-1849) md. John A. Fogwell Sarah moved with her family to Hamilton County, Ohio in about 1794 and then to Greene County, Ohio, in about 1800. She remained there until her death. * Sarah's tombstone lists her birthdate as November 20, 1770 and her death date as May 11, 1873. However, both of those years must have been errors. Her obituary (below) clearly indicates she died in May 1872 (and not in 1873). In a different newspaper article from 1870 (see below also), she listed her birthdate as November 20, 1772. Sarah's birth place is always listed as either Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Because of that, a birth in November 1770 is highly unlikely, as her family was documented as arriving in Philadelphia from Germany in December 1771. Xenia Semi-Weekly Gazette, Mar. 15, 1870, Pg. 1: "Beaver Station, March 7, 1870. The oldest pioneer lady now supposed to be living in Greene county, Ohio, is Mrs Sarah Harner, who now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Catherine Shower, one mile south-east of Byron, Greene county, Ohio. Mrs. Harner, whose maiden name is Koogler, was born in the state of New Jersey, November 20th, 1772, married and emigrated to the state of Ohio and settled in Beavercreek township, one mile south of Byron, in the year 1795, at which place she has lived for the period of 75 years, and encountered the danger of the red man and the hardships of pioneer life. Mrs. H. is the mother of seven children, of whom all are living but one. She has 43 grand children and 74 great grand children ; making in all a population of 123. She also has a brother living near by who is 87 years of age. Wm. Fogwell." Fayette County Herald [Washington, OH], May 23, 1872, Pg. 1: "Greene county lost a centenarian last week in the death of Mrs. Sarah Harner, near Byron, at the great age of 101 years, 5 months and 11 days. She had resided in that neighborhood for over 80 years, he father Mr. Koogler, being, in fact, one of the very first settlers in this county. - She died in the Christian faith, having been a member of the Lutheran church for 80 years. - Xenia Torchlight."
6	Johannes Kugler was born on September 7, 1774 2, probably in Milford Twp., Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. He was buried on March 14, 1775 3 at Goshenhoppen, Pennsylvania. He was baptized on October 16, 1774 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville, Pennsylvania 2.
7	Margaret Barbara Kugler was born on December 21, 1775 2, probably in Milford Twp., Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. She probably went by her middle name, Barbara. She was baptized on May 12, 1776 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville, Pennsylvania 2. There is no other information about her.
8	Anna Catharina Kugler
9	Mathias Kugler was born on February 12, 1780 10, probably in Milford Twp., Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. He died on March 7, 1854 6, 10 in either Clermont Co., Ohio or Hamilton Co., Ohio. He is buried in the Camp Dennison (Waldschmidt) Cemetery, Camp Dennison, Hamilton Co., Ohio. He married first Catharine Elizabeth Waldschmidt on January 22, 1798 in New Germany, Hamilton Co., Ohio. She was born on August 9, 1780 and died on April 26, 1846 6. She is buried in Camp Dennison (Waldschmidt) Cemetery, Camp Dennison, Hamilton Co., Ohio. They had children: Catherine Kugler (1799-1799) Catherine Kugler (1800-died young) Jacob Kugler (1802-1823) Christian Kugler (1804-died young) John Kugler (1806-1868) md. 1st Matilda Caroline Brower md. 2nd Rebecca Julia West Sarah Kugler (1808-1893) md. Joel Eugene Ogg Elizabeth Kugler (1810-1891) md. George W. Shultz Christian Kugler (1812-1836) md. Eleanor F. McGrue Catherine Kugler (1815-1874) md. Josiah Drake Christena Kugler (1817-1901) md. Edward Johnson Turpin David Kugler (1820-1904) md. Malinda Marley Mathias Kugler (1822-1919) md. Matilda Frances Connelly Jacob Kugler (1825-1856) md. Mary C. Fisher He married second Mary Bragg, widow of Jacob Durnham on November 1, 1846 in Clermont Co., Ohio 11. She was born circa 1795 in Kentucky and died on August 31, 1858 12 in Clermont Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Rustic Valley Farm Cemetery, Clermont Co., Ohio. They had no children. Mathias moved with his family to Ohio in about 1794. During the 1790s, Mathias settled at what is now Camp Dennison; where he married the daughter of the local mill owner. Mathias remained there, while most (all?) of his siblings and mother moved north to Greene County, Ohio. Mathias owned land both in Symmes Township in Hamilton County, Ohio (where Camp Dennison was located) and also land just across the river in Miami Township in Clermont County, Ohio. In 1850, he was living in Clermont County, but otherwise resided in Hamilton County.
10	Johann Jacob Kugler was born on April 21, 1784 10 or April 22, 1784 3, probably in Frederick Twp., Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania. He died on September 12, 1870 5 in Beavercreek Twp., Greene Co., Ohio. He is buried in the Byron Cemetery, Greene Co., Ohio. He married Kunigunda "Kinla" Horner was born on March 6, 1804 in Greene Co., Ohio 7. She was born on about July 24, 1782 in Wertheim, Hoxter, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and died on November 27, 1858 5 in Beavercreek Twp., Greene Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Byron Cemetery, Greene Co., Ohio. They had the following children: Catherine Koogler (1804-1887) md. Abraham Tobias George Koogler (1806-1892) md. 1st Mary M. Black md. 2nd Eleanor Ivens Mary Koogler (1808-1887) md. Robert Black Samuel Koogler (1811-1886) md. 1st Elizabeth Snypp md. 2nd Sarah Ann Iliff Solomon Koogler (1812-1901) md. Catherine Jones Mathias Koogler (1813-1877) md. Hannah Maragaret Bouck Sarah Koogler (1815-1842) md. Adam Routzong Simon Koogler (1817-1897) md. Elizabeth Ellen Parsons Jacob Koogler (1819-1900) md. Nancy Ankeney John Koogler (1822-1895) md. Leah Miller He always went by his middle name, Jacob. Many family trees include him with the name "Josiah Jacob Kugler", which is based on the fact that he was listed as "Josiah Koogler" in the 1850 census. However, the name Josiah must have been an error on that enumeration. Jacob was listed on a plethora of other contemporary records, and not a single one of those other records included the name Josiah - he was always listed as Jacob. It was only on his baptism record (baptized on August 8, 1784 in the Goshenhoppen Church 3) that his original name "Johann Jacob" was used. Not to mention that the name "Josiah" would have been an incredibly unlikely choice for German emigrants. Jacob moved with his family to Greene County, Ohio in about 1800, and remained there until his death. Jacob was married to his stepsister Kunigunda Harner (Jacob's mother was married to Kunigunda's father and his sister Sarah was married to her brother). They settled on a farm in Beavercreek Township in Greene County. Jacob and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. Jacob wrote his will on August 17, 1858, in which he described his wife, his 9 living children (Katharine, George, Mary, Samuel, Solomon, Mathias, Simon, Jacob, and John) and the children of his deceased daughter Mary. His will was proven on September 21, 1870.

2nd Generation:

There is no evidence of what happened to her after her baptism on May 17, 1778 in the Christ Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville, Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania ². If she survived, she would probably have gone by her middle name, Catharina. In about 1782, the family moved to nearby Frederick Township in Montgomery County. In about 1788-1790, the family moved to what is now Penns Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania. In about 1794, the family moved to Hamilton County, Ohio. And in about 1800, most of the family moved to what is now Greene County, Ohio.

A wild guess theory is that she was the same person as Catherine, wife of Jacob Crobarger, who was born on about December 16, 1777 in Pennsylvania.

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